Monthly Archives: July 2017

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Today is Posy’s forty-sixth, birthday. Or rather should I say, would have been. The exact terminology is difficult here. Although she died in 2001, in so many ways she is still part of us and definitely part of our lives. So although she is not here to celebrate with us, we will be raising a glass to her and reminiscing. What will make this celebration extra special is that that we will be sharing it with her great friend and companion in devilment, Jonathan Clarkson.

The stories he can tell, I will leave up to him, what I’ve been remembering, is how Pose achieved her ambition to play Juliet.

It began with a conversation. She was visiting us in Jamaica and we had been to Port Royale, once the pirate capital of the Caribbean only the ruined citadel remains, but she saw it as the perfect setting for “Romeo and Juliet”. At the time Pose had no funding, no company and only a couple of actors she knew she could call on for her project. Nothing daunted she allied herself with Jim Malcolm, the deputy High Commissioner, and a good friend of ours, and together they hatched a cunning plan.

The upshot of which was a tour of the island by In Cahoots, Posy’s newly formed theatre company. While she went back to the UK to audition fellow actors, Jim set about funding from the Arts Council and finding venues and accommodation for the company.

They arrived on a hot, steamy Jamaican night, on the ten o’clock flight from London. As well as their luggage, they had a box of swords, which Jonathan insisted looked like a coffin for a dwarf. Special clearance had to be given to bring these dangerous weapons into what was at the time the murder capital of the world. Once safely through customs, the tour could begin.

There were performances in schools, hotels and the Edna Manley Theatre in Kingston, which was an open air amphitheatre. This was my first experience of Shakespeare in Jamaica and I loved the way the audience was totally involved. They cheered, they clapped, they called out warnings and advice to the characters.

Down Town Kingston was another experience altogether. Because at the time there was much violence between rival political factions, the actors were driven there in convoy, guarded by police. As we reached the boundary between New Kingston and Down Town, the lead car stopped, the driver got out and fixed a Union Jack on the bonnet. Being British we could pass safely through the worst areas, but even so, the route was lined with armed police and half way through the play the Inspector came in with his AK47 to check that all was well.

Once again the audience was brilliant and the headmistress and staff so grateful that the actors had come to their school. Not that a little matter like gang violence would have stopped Pose. If it was at all possible then she would do it.

In direct contrast was the performance at Half Moon Hotel, where the actors had their own villa, plus maids and a cook and butler. The house had its own pool and there was skinny dipping at midnight and horse riding along the beach at dawn.

The most magical evening, for me however, was at the High Commission where on a balmy tropic night the tragedy of the two young lovers was played out on the veranda of the old colonial mansion.

There will be no more outdoor Shakespeare, no strange plays in little theatres, or appearances at the Edinburgh Festival.

But Pose being Pose, this is not the end of the story. After she died, her friend Guy made a film using clips for a project that was to be pitched to the BBC.

Sam Jackson’s Video Diary, is out still out there and has recently been re-mastered. If you want to see her again, or just get a flavour of the woman she was. Click HERE.

First of all I want to say I only consider myself a writer now I have a book published! “Where there’s a Will, There’s a Woman” is my new release and I can hardly believe that it’s out there for everyone to read.

Although I am a writer I am also a wife, mother and grand mother so my writing has to fit around other peoples’ needs!

Also we have big house and garden to attend to in the Uk ,and another to think about in Spain .

I don’t sit at my computer and write everyday, when I am home , but what I do do, nearly everyday , is make notes in my Bright Ideas book, which I carry around in my handbag. I also often write in my scribble book and I do keep a diary of events, and amusing incidents , which I seem to get involved in frequently !!

I read a lot, besides newspapers, I like novels and I do have a kindle . I usually make a note of interesting facts or people and later Google them and makes notes for my file, which badly needs updating ! I have no shortage of material to use in my writing I just need to find the time to use it !

I can only seriously write when I am in Spain with no distractions ! Luckily I spend 6 months of the year now in Almeria Southern Spain , ( in two month chunks ) and write at a desk by a window with a view of the Mediterranean and only the sound of the waves to keep me company !

Continuing my reprise of the Winter Downs blog tour here is the posting hosted by the writer and jazz singer Nelli Rees – originally posted here.

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Jan Edwards has had her new novel “Winter Downs” published (Penkhull Press). Find below more information about the book and the writer, as well as what Jan said when asked, who would be playing the main parts if her book were made into a film or a TV series (you all know my passion for movies!).

This is the reply I got from Jan to my question, who she would like to play the parts if the book were dramatised:

When Nelli asked me who I would cast for Winter Downs as a film or TV series I have to admit to a slight panic; not least because I can never remember names! After a monster Googling session I have come up…

Tell us something about yourself. I am an artist living and working in the Cotswolds. I split my time between working for exhibitions and working in my large garden.I love cooking, so try to process the fruit and vegetables which we grow organically.

How long have you been painting? I have painted for as long as I can remember, and as I am now 66 years old, that’s a long time.

How and when did you start. I can’t really remember not painting and drawing, so at school and at home I painted whenever I could.

Did any one artist/teacher inspire or influence you? I have always loved the strong colours and brushstrokes of Van Gogh

Where do you work? I am very lucky to have a studio in my garden; easy to access but away from the house. I also hold exhibitions there during our annual Artweeks festival.

Tell us something about the different styles in which you work/have worked. I work only in water based media, so have painted exclusively in watercolour in the past, but now use mixed media: a combination of collage, gesso and acrylic paint. I aim to move away from a representationl style of painting toward more of a fee abstract style; still working on it!

Is any particular style a favourite?

A loose, free semi abstract style, with some elements that the viewer can recognise. Not too challenging.

Where do you get your inspiration? Depending on my mood a number of things inspire me. I love still life painting, so a collection of personal objects can be the start of a painting. If I am out walking, certain landscapes can sow a germ of inspiration, or a particular area of the country, i.e the coast.

When we had cats, I used to paint them and still include them in some of my garden or interior pictures.

What do you listen to when you work? Radio 4

Recently your work has been used in cover designs for books, did this pose any challenges/problems? Not really; the copyright rest with me as an artist. It is lovely to see my work on the cover of books.

We’re (Gaslight Crime) delighted to bring you an interview with writer Jan Edwards, author of the newly published historical crime novel Winter Downs.

I absolutely loved Winter Downs, which takes place in a fascinating time in a lovely part of Sussex that Kipling called our blunt, blow-headed, whale-backed Downs. The perfect setting for the first novel in an atmospheric new crime series. If you enjoy classic, Golden Age style whodunits with engaging sleuths, a twisting plot and a wonderful sense of place – you’re in for a great treat.

Liz, Bernie and Elsa have been friends since their days at St. Cecelia’s school. Their lives took very different paths but they all have found happiness in their own fashion. Liz is an independent career woman; Bernie a good Catholic mum with four sons and Elsa is supported by her wealthy ex-husband. Then, in the space of a few short weeks, everything they have taken for granted is swept away. Money, jobs and partners are all gone. How will they manage when their worlds are crumbling about their ears? Together Liz, Bernie and Elsa have to find novel ways of avoiding disaster.

Picking up the Pieces is about friendship, cake and the mutual support that only lifelong friends can provide.

Winter Downs is the first in your Bunch Courtney Investigates series – who is Bunch and what can we expect from future books in the series?

Bunch Courtney is a well connected young woman who is set adrift by the changes that the coming of war has imposed on her, and knows that the life she was brought up to lead will never return. When she stumbles on a murder she discovers a talent and taste for sleuthing as she interacts with the local police force; and with Chief Inspector Wright in…